Warwick Woodcrafters president John Madsen and treasurer Neville Yarrow with helpers Carol Goodwin, Laurie Roche and Russell Wiseman show off the crosses the made for a new war memorial in Pozieres, France.
Warwick Woodcrafters president John Madsen and treasurer Neville Yarrow with helpers Carol Goodwin, Laurie Roche and Russell Wiseman show off the crosses the made for a new war memorial in Pozieres, France. Jayden Brown

A crafty tribute to honour Australia's fallen soldiers

MAKING 1000 wooden crosses to honour fallen Australia soldiers takes many hands.

For the Warwick Woodcrafters, the job calls for a little bit of help from some of their eager friends.

When the memorial to Australian soldiers is complete in the French town of Pozieres, the work of a group of keen young Warwick men will shine on for generations.

For the past two years, the Warwick Woodcrafters have given Community Options clients, who have disabilities, the chance to learn woodwork and enjoy a social day out.

Every Tuesday for the past few weeks, Carl Goodwin, Laurie Roche and Russell Wiseman have been busily putting together the crosses with fellow woodcrafters.

Warwick Woodcrafters president John Madsen said it was great having the young men helping out.

"We make things and they help put them together," he said. "When they first started we said we'd give them something to make that they could take home with them."

Community Options disability support worker Lyn Rogers said for the young guys it was a great way to interact with other people. "They get a sense of ability because they're making things with their hands," she said.

"It's a social outing for them as well. They make lots of things that they can take home and use or give as gifts."

The erection of a memorial in Pozieres has been spearheaded by the Pozieres Remembrance Association, with the Stanthorpe Men's Shed and Warwick Woodcrafters contributing 2000 wood crosses to the project.

Each cross will bear a red poppy and the name of a fallen Australian serviceman.



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